NMA Distances Itself from Proposed Strike by Health Sector Workers

The Nigerian Medical Association has distanced itself from the proposed strike by health workers in Nigeria over alleged breach of agreements with government.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday by its Chairman, Publicity and Publication Committee, Dr. Obitade Obimakinde, the association described the proposed strike as illegal and said, “The NMA will however wish to caution that issues which have been concluded in the past negotiations or supported by government circulars and memoranda should not be reinvented or distorted in this impasse.”

The organisation also called on security agencies to beef up security around hospitals and give maximum protection to doctors.

The Joint Health Sector Unions and Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations had threatened to embark on a nationwide strike following the expiration of their two weeks ultimatum.

Obimakinde informed Nigerians that doctors were not part of the planned withdrawal of services in hospitals nationwide by health workers
He said, “Medical doctors are reporting promptly and available at their duty posts. We are carrying out the responsibilities of saving lives as much as possible within the limits of available facilities and resources provided by the hospitals. We also call on the law enforcement agencies to intensively guarantee protection of doctors in the discharge of their legitimate duties.”

The workers had earlier handed the government a 15-day ultimatum with effect from February 3, 2016, to accede to their 10-point demand or risk nationwide strike.